Emma Wilson
Milky mushrooms, or Calocybe indica, are a tropical variety of edible mushrooms that are commonly cultivated in India, Vietnam, and other equatorial regions. They are known for their milky white colour and robust nature, and are often grown in greenhouses or sheds with controlled environments to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels. The mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment, with a temperature range of around 30-35°C and a humidity level of around 90%. The cultivation process involves preparing a substrate of pasteurized straw or sawdust, maintaining the right conditions for mycelium growth, and harvesting the mushrooms once they have reached maturity. With their excellent shelf life and potential health benefits, milky mushrooms have become a popular choice for both small-scale and commercial growers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calocybe spp. (C. indica) |
| Common Name | Milky Mushroom, Giant Milky |
| Origin | India, Vietnam, and equatorial regions |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Temperature Range | 30-38°C (86-101°F) |
| Humidity | 80-85% |
| Fruiting Temperature | 80-105°F |
| Substrate | Straw, sawdust, sorghum or wheat grains |
| Pasteurization | Hot water, steam, or autoclave |
| Temperature Regulation | Heating/cooling systems |
| Humidity Regulation | Humidifiers/dehumidifiers |
| Lighting | Artificial lighting system |
| Harvesting | Twist and pull gently |
| Shelf Life | Excellent, does not turn brown or black |
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What You'll Learn
Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, humid environment
Milky mushrooms, also known as Phellinus linteus or Sanghwang mushrooms, are a type of medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. They are believed to have several health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and promoting heart health. These mushrooms are also a good source of protein and are known for their high nutritional value.
Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment. To create this environment, you can set up a milky mushroom shed or a greenhouse. A milky mushroom shed is a structure specifically designed for cultivating milky mushrooms, with climate-control features to regulate temperature and humidity levels. It usually includes a ventilation system, heating and cooling systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, a water and nutrient distribution system, a waste management system, and a lighting system.
If you prefer to grow your mushrooms outdoors, you can create a suitable microclimate by choosing a shady location, such as the north side of your home, under a large tree or bush, or by suspending agricultural shade cloth above the area. This shade cloth can also serve as a "humidity tent," retaining moisture beneath it and promoting evaporative cooling. Additionally, plants and mushrooms have a symbiotic relationship, so consider placing your mushroom bed near large-leafed plants like cabbage or rhubarb, which will provide a cool and shady environment for the mushrooms while also benefiting from improved soil structure and moisture retention.
When preparing your mushroom bed, it's important to select a suitable location and maintain the right temperature and humidity levels. Milky mushrooms prefer a temperature range of around 30-35°C (68-77°F), although some sources suggest they can tolerate temperatures above 80°F. The humidity level inside the shed should be maintained at around 90% to encourage mushroom growth. Regular monitoring of temperature and humidity is crucial to ensure optimal conditions for mushroom growth.
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Pasteurized straw and treated sawdust blocks are good substrates
Milky mushrooms (Calocybe indica) are a tropical species grown in India, Vietnam, and equatorial regions. They can also be grown in temperate climates for a few months a year, either outdoors or in greenhouses. Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment, with a temperature range of 30-35°C (68-77°F) and a humidity level of around 90%.
To cultivate milky mushrooms, you will need a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or a mushroom shed, with a regulated temperature and humidity system. The choice of substrate is crucial when growing milky mushrooms, as it provides the energy and nutrition source for the mushroom mycelium. Straw and sawdust are common substrates for mushroom cultivation, and they can be pasteurized and treated to create an optimal growing medium.
Straw is a popular choice for growing milky mushrooms due to its nutritional value and ease of decomposition. It provides rapid turnover, with the potential for the first harvest within two to three weeks. Straw can be pasteurized by soaking it in hot water at 80°C for 2 hours or using steam pasteurization at 80°C for 2 hours in an autoclave or special steam chamber. After pasteurization, the straw is mixed with milky mushroom spawn (a mixture of spores and substrate) and placed in a cool, shaded area to colonize.
Sawdust is another effective substrate for growing milky mushrooms, particularly gourmet varieties. Sawdust fruiting blocks can be supplemented and prepared to create an optimal growing medium for milky mushrooms. Sawdust spawn can be mixed with cooled, pasteurized straw and placed in clean nursery pots. The spawned straw mixture is stuffed tightly into the pots, leaving a few inches of space from the top, and then covered with a tarp to retain moisture. After a week or two, when the straw has turned white, the tarp is removed, and wet potting soil is applied. The mushrooms will form within 2-3 weeks and can be harvested by gently twisting and pulling.
In summary, pasteurized straw and treated sawdust blocks are good substrates for cultivating milky mushrooms. By providing the necessary nutrition and creating a controlled environment, these substrates can promote the growth and yield of milky mushrooms.
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Maintain temperature and humidity with heating/cooling systems
Milky mushrooms thrive in a warm and humid climate, with an ideal temperature range of 30–38°C (86–101°F) and a humidity level of 80% to 90%. The Giant Milky variety, for instance, prefers a temperature window of 80–105°F. To maintain these conditions, a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or mushroom shed, is necessary.
To regulate the temperature and humidity, a heating and cooling system is essential. This system should be capable of maintaining a consistent temperature within the desired range. In addition, to control humidity levels, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be utilised. For instance, during the colonisation phase, when the straw turns white, a tarp is used to retain moisture, and the mushrooms are misted to prevent them from drying out.
It is crucial to monitor temperature and humidity levels regularly to ensure they remain within the optimal range for mushroom growth. This monitoring can be achieved through the use of a controlled ventilation system, which helps maintain the desired temperature and humidity levels. By investing in the appropriate heating and cooling systems, you can create the perfect environment for your milky mushrooms to flourish.
Additionally, it is important to note that milky mushrooms are tropical and prefer a cool, dark, and humid environment. Extreme heat should be avoided, especially during the initial stages of growth. By providing the right temperature and humidity conditions, you can create an optimal environment for your milky mushrooms to thrive.
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Purchase spawn from a reliable source
When cultivating milky mushrooms, it is important to purchase spawn from a reliable source. The spawn should be a mixture of milky mushroom spores and a substrate, typically straw or sawdust, that has been sterilized and inoculated with spores. You can procure spawn from commercial varieties of milky mushrooms (Calocybe indica) in person, but it often requires a prior order.
One factor to consider when purchasing spawn is the substrate used. Milky mushrooms can grow on a variety of substrates, including straw, sawdust, and even dried vegetable waste. However, sorghum or wheat grains are considered the best substrates for C. indica spawn production. These grains should be half-cooked in water for about 30 minutes, drained, slightly air-dried, and then mixed with calcium carbonate. This mixture is then sterilized and inoculated with mushroom mycelia to create the spawn.
Another consideration is the age of the spawn. The age of the spawn can influence the flushing pattern and yield of the milky mushrooms. Generally, it is recommended to use younger spawn for better results.
When purchasing spawn, it is also essential to consider the growing conditions you can provide. Milky mushrooms prefer a warm and humid climate, with temperatures ranging from 30-38°C and humidity levels between 80-90%. They grow best in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or a specially designed mushroom shed, where temperature and humidity can be regulated.
Additionally, the spawn's shelf life is an important factor. Unlike other mushrooms, milky mushrooms have a longer shelf life without refrigeration and can be stored for up to a week at room temperature. This makes them ideal for small-scale growers or those without access to constant refrigeration.
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Milky mushrooms are easy to grow in greenhouses
Milky mushrooms (Calocybe indica) are a commonly cultivated tropical mushroom variety that can be grown in greenhouses. They are easy to grow and are well-suited to warm, humid climates. The Giant Milky variety, in particular, is a beautiful, edible mushroom grown in India, Vietnam, and equatorial regions. It can be grown in temperate climates for a few months out of the year, either outdoors or in greenhouses to extend the warm season.
To grow milky mushrooms in a greenhouse, you need to create an optimal growing environment by regulating temperature and humidity levels. Milky mushrooms prefer a temperature range of 30-35°C (68-77°F), with a humidity level of around 90%. To maintain these conditions, you may need to use heating and cooling systems, as well as humidifiers and dehumidifiers. A controlled ventilation system is also essential. Additionally, ensure that your greenhouse has a lighting system to provide the necessary light for the mushrooms' growth.
When growing milky mushrooms, it is recommended to purchase the spawn from a reliable source. This spawn is a mixture of milky mushroom spores and a substrate, such as straw or sawdust, that has been sterilized and inoculated with spores. The substrate can be pasteurized using hot water at 80°C for 2 hours or steam pasteurization at the same temperature for semi-commercial production. For commercial production, sterilization in an autoclave at 121°C with 15 lb of pressure for 15 minutes is the best method.
Once you have your substrate and spawn, gently mix them in a polypropylene bag, following the steps outlined above for sterilization and inoculation. Keep the bag in a cool place, and within two weeks, the mycelium will grow inside the bag. After this stage, you can transfer the mixture to clean nursery pots, tightly packing the spawned straw and leaving about 3 inches of space from the top. Place the pots in a cool, shaded area, covering them with a tarp to prevent quick drying. Check daily and water if needed to maintain even moisture. After about 1-2 weeks, the straw will colonize and turn white. At this point, remove the tarp and apply 1 inch of pre-moistened potting soil.
Continue to maintain moisture and water when needed, but be careful not to make the environment too wet, as this will hinder the mycelium's ability to breathe. Mushrooms should form within 2-3 weeks. Once they are large and the caps flatten, you can harvest them by gently twisting and pulling. The entire process, from preparing the substrate to harvesting, typically takes around 7-8 weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
Milky mushrooms grow best in a cool, dark, and humid environment with a temperature range of 30-35°C (68-77°F) and 90% humidity.
Milky mushrooms can grow on various substrates, including pasteurized straw, treated sawdust blocks, and sorghum or wheat grains.
First, purchase milky mushroom spawn, which is a mixture of spores and a substrate such as straw or sawdust. Then, gently mix straw and spawn into a polypropylene bag or nursery pot, keeping it tightly covered and in a cool place. After two weeks, remove the cover and keep the mixture moist. Mushrooms should form within 2-3 weeks.
Milky mushrooms have a longer shelf life without refrigeration, retaining their fresh look. They also have a shorter crop cycle, good biological efficiency, and lower contamination rates compared to other mushrooms. Additionally, the infrastructure required to grow them is affordable, making industrial production attractive.
